Chair with a head and neck support structure

ABSTRACT

A chair includes a backrest, and a head and neck support structure arranged at the top side of the backrest for supporting the head and neck of a person resting on the backrest. The head and neck support includes a neck support portion shaped like a convex bar and transversely arranged at the top side of the backrest, and a plurality of radial V-grooves radially upwardly extended from the top side of the neck support portion and inclining upwardly backwardly from the neck support portion in a smooth manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to chairs and more particularly, to achair with a head and neck support structure defining a neck supportportion shaped like a convex bar and transversely arranged at the topside of the backrest for supporting the user's neck and a plurality ofradial V-grooves radially upwardly extended from the top side of theneck support portion and inclining upwardly backwardly from the necksupport portion in a smooth manner for supporting the user's head.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many different designs of ergonomic chairs are commercially available. Achair of this kind shall be orthopedically engineered for sittingcomfort without hurt. However, most commercial ergonomic chairsemphasize the curved backrest design to support the user's waist andback and the arrangement of a headpiece or headrest at the top side thecurved backrest to support the user's head. However, when the userrested the head on the headrest, the headrest imparts a forward pressureto user's head, causing a stress concentrated on the user's neck. Thus,the user's head and neck will feel pain after sitting for a long periodof time. This problem becomes more serious when taking a bus, airplane,cruiser or any other transportation vehicle for a long trip. It is animportant service of a transportation company to help passengers relaxtheir body in an enclosed space during a long trip. Further, theheadpiece or headrest of a conventional vehicle chair cannot support theuser's head in different directions subject oscillation during steeringof the transportation vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances inview. It is one object of the present invention to provide a chair,which is provided with a head and neck support structure at the top sideof the backrest for supporting the head and neck of the user resting onthe backrest comfortably for a long period of time without causing pain.

To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, a chaircomprises a backrest, and a head and neck support structure arranged atthe top side of the backrest for supporting the head and neck of aperson resting on the backrest. The head and neck support includes aneck support portion shaped like a convex bar and transversely arrangedat the top side of the backrest, and a plurality of radial V-groovesradially upwardly extended from the top side of the neck support portionand inclining upwardly backwardly from the neck support portion in asmooth manner.

Further, subject to the design of the radial V-grooves, the user's headcan be comfortably supported on the head and neck support structure fora long period of time, avoiding concentration of stress and pain.

Further, subject to the design of the neck support portion and theradial V-grooves, the head and neck of the user resting on the backrestin either a forward facing position or lateral facing position can bewell supported, assuring sitting comfort and avoiding neck pain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a head and neck support structure forchair in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the head and neck support structure shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the head and neck support structure shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a chair with a head and neck supportstructure in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing explaining the relationship of the radialV-grooves relative to the lumbar position point.

FIG. 6 is a schematic applied view of the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a chair with a head and neck support structurein accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view in an enlarged scale taken along line A-A ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the chair with a head and neck supportstructure in accordance with the second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of a chair with a head and neck supportstructure in accordance with a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is an oblique front view of the chair with a head and necksupport structure in accordance with the third embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a chair with a head and neck supportstructure in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a chair with a head and neck support structurein accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown.The chair 2 comprises a backrest 21, and a head and neck supportstructure 1 arranged at the top side of a backrest 21. The head and necksupport structure 1 comprises a neck support portion 12 shaped like aconvex bar and transversely arranged at the top side of the backrest 21,and a plurality of radial V-grooves 11 radially upwardly extended fromthe top side of the neck support portion 12. Further, the radialV-grooves 11 incline upwardly backwardly in a smooth manner. Thus, whena user 4 rests the neck 41 and the head 42 on the head and neck supportstructure 1, the head 42 is well supported on the upper part of the headand neck support structure 1 around the radial V-grooves 11, and theneck 41 is well supported on the neck support portion 12. Subject to thedesign of the radial V-grooves 11, the head and neck support structure 1does not render any forward pressure to the head 42 of the user 4,avoiding stress concentration and assuring optimal sitting comfort.

Further, the radial V-grooves 11 extend radially from a center pointcorresponding to the lumbar position point 43.

Therefore, when the user 4 is sitting on the chair 2 with the whole backor either lateral side of the body rested on the backrest 21, the head42 can be well rested in the radial V-grooves 11, and at the same time,and the neck 41 can be well supported on the neck support portion 12,assuring optimal sitting comfort. Further, the number of the radialV-grooves 11 is preferably 3, and backwardly inclined angle of everyradial V-groove 11 is preferably 15° angle.

The head and neck support structure 1 can be directly affixed to the topside of the backrest of a chair. Alternatively, the head and necksupport structure 1 can be vertically adjustably mounted at the backrestof a chair, as shown in FIGS. 7-9. According to this second embodiment,two side rails 3 are respectively affixed to two opposite lateral sidesof the backrest 21 of the chair 2 and protruding over the top side ofthe backrest 21. Each side rail 3 defines therein a longitudinal slidinggroove 31, and a plurality of recessed locating portions 32longitudinally spaced in the longitudinal sliding groove 31. The headand neck support structure 1 is slidably coupled between the two siderails 3 above the backrest 21 of the chair 2, comprising two slides 13respectively coupled to the longitudinal sliding grooves 31 of the twoside rails 3, two spring members 15 respectively affixed to the slides13, and two positioning balls 14 respectively supported on the springmembers 15 for selectively engaging in the recessed locating portions 32to lock the head and neck support structure 1 to the backrest 21 of thechair 2 in one of a series of positions (see FIG. 8).

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a chair 2 with a head and neck supportstructure 1 in accordance with a third embodiment of the presentinvention. According to this third embodiment, the head and neck supportstructure 1 comprises at least one, for example, two binding belts 16arranged at the back side thereof. By means of the binding belts 16, thehead and neck support structure 1 can be conveniently and detachablyfastened to the backrest 21 of a chair 2 at the desired elevation.

FIG. 12 illustrates a chair 2 with a head and neck support structure 1in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.According to this fourth embodiment, an electric lifting mechanism 5 ismounted in the backrest 21 of the chair 2, comprising a lift rod 51affixed to the head and neck support structure 1 and driven to move thehead and neck support structure 1 vertically relative to the backrest 21of the chair 2.

In conclusion, the invention provides a chair with a head and necksupport structure, wherein the head and neck support structure comprisesa neck support portion shaped like a convex bar and transverselyarranged at the top side of the backrest for supporting the user's neck,and a plurality of radial V-grooves radially upwardly extended from thetop side of the neck support portion for supporting the user's head andholding the user's head comfortably in position against oscillation.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described indetail for purposes of illustration, various modifications andenhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except asby the appended claims.

What the invention claimed is:
 1. A chair comprising a backrest, and ahead and neck support structure arranged at a top side of said backrestfor supporting the head and neck of a person resting on said backrest,wherein said head and neck support comprises a neck support portionshaped like a convex bar and transversely arranged at the top side ofsaid backrest, and a plurality of radial V-grooves radially upwardlyextended from a top side of said neck support portion, said radialV-grooves inclining upwardly backwardly from said neck support portion.2. The chair as claimed in claim 1, wherein said radial V-grooves extendradially from a center point corresponding to the lumbar position point.3. The chair as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number of said radialV-grooves is
 3. 4. The chair as claimed in claim 1, wherein said radialV-grooves incline at 15° angle.
 5. The chair as claimed in claim 1,wherein said head and neck support structure comprises at least onebinding belt disposed at a back side thereof adapted for detachablyfastening said head and neck support structure to said backrest at thedesired elevation.
 6. A chair comprising: a backrest for supporting theuser's back; two side rails respectively affixed to two opposite lateralsides of said backrest and protruding over a top side of said backrest,each said side rail defining therein a longitudinal sliding groove; ahead and neck support structure slidably coupled between said two siderails above said backrest, said head and neck support structurecomprising a neck support portion shaped like a convex bar andtransversely arranged at the top side of said backrest, a plurality ofradial V-grooves radially upwardly extended from a top side of said necksupport portion, said radial V-grooves inclining upwardly backwardlyfrom said neck support portion, two slides respectively coupled to thelongitudinal sliding grooves of said two side rails; and positioningmeans for locking said head and neck support structure to said siderails.
 7. The chair as claimed in claim 6, wherein said positioningmeans comprises a plurality of recessed locating portions respectivelyformed in the longitudinal sliding groove in each of said two side railsat different elevations, two spring members respectively affixed to saidslides, and two positioning balls respectively supported on said springmembers for selectively engaging in said recessed locating portions tolock said head and neck support structure to said side rails.
 8. A chaircomprising: a backrest for supporting the user's back; an electriclifting mechanism mounted in said backrest; and a head and neck supportstructure slidably coupled to said electric lifting mechanism andmovable up and down relative to said backrest by said electric liftingmechanism, said head and neck support structure comprising a necksupport portion shaped like a convex bar and transversely arranged atthe top side of said backrest, a plurality of radial V-grooves radiallyupwardly extended from a top side of said neck support portion, saidradial V-grooves inclining upwardly backwardly from said neck supportportion, two slides respectively coupled to the longitudinal slidinggrooves of said two side rails.